Burglar-guard apparatus



Dec. 23-, 1930. T. s. PATE BURGLAR GUARD. APPARATUS Fil N 29, 1929 2Sheets-Sheet l INVENIQR. Thomas GLPai'e,

ATTO N Dec. 23, 1930. s, F

BURGLAR GUARD APPARATUS File Nov. 29, 1929- 2 Sheets-Shut 2 INVENTOR.mmastififlzia,

BY I

Patented Dec. 23, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE THOMAS G. FATE, OFLIBERAL, KANSAS BU'RG'LAR-G'IJ'ARID APPARATUS Application filed November29, 1929. Serial No. 410,619.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a manner ashereinafter set forth, an apparatus of the class referred to capable ofbeing installed in financial and other institutions handling large cashreceipts and capable of being thrown into operation at spaced pointsdesired for discharging an agent into the face of the burglar or againstthe burglar or so that the burglar will come in contact therewith forthe purpose of blinding or rendering the burglar helpless;

Further objects of theinvention are to'provide, in a manner ashereinafter set forth, an

apparatus for the purpose referred to which is simple in itsconstruction and arrange-- ment, strong,' durable, compact, includingsuitable means to provide for the activity of the apparatus, thoroughlyeflicient in its use,

readily installed and comparatively inexpensive to set up.

With the foregoing and other objects in view the invention consists ofthe novel construction, combination and arran ement of parts ashereinafter more speci cally described, and illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention,but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modificationscan be resorted to which fall withinthe scope of the claims hereuntoappended.

In the drawings wherein like reference characters denote correspondingparts throughout the several views Figure 1 is an elevation of a burglarguard apparatus, in accordance with this invention, showing theinstallation thereof with respect to a tellers cage.

. reservou'.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary view in section illustrating the controllingvalve for the blinding agent reservoir secured in closing position andfurther illustrating a driven con l 1ng means connected with the valvefor Shl ting the latter to a position to open the Figure 3 is a viewsimilar to Figure 2 with the controlling valve shifted to a position toopen the blinding agent reservoir.

Figure 4 is a section on line 4-4 of Figure Fizgure 5 is a section online 5-5 of Figure l a a Figure 6 is a section on line 66 of Figure 3. a

The apparatus includes one or more discharge nozzles for the blindingagent, the latter preferably being tear gas-under pressure. The nozzleor nozzles is or are to be substantially concealed in'a supporttherefor. The apparatus also includes an electric motor having the powerline therefor in a normally open circuit capable of being closed at onepoint or selectively closed at a plurality of points remote from eachother when occasion requires. I I

The apparatus also includes a blinding agent reservoir provided with anoutletcarrying a controlling valve mechanism including avalve'member'for'normally closing said outlet and shifted from themotor, whenthe motor circuit is closedto a position to open the outletto enable the discharge of the blinding agent to render the burglarhelpless or to prevent him from acting to carry out burglary.

An embodiment of the invention is illustrated by way of example inconnection with a tellers cage. Referring to the drawings in detail,ldenotes a reservoir for containing tear gas under pressure and whichincludes an intake 2 and a pressure gauge 3. ,The reservoir 1 is mountedupon a suitable support 4. The

' upper end of reservoirl has extending therefrom an outlet pipe 5 forthe blindin agent. Ad acent the reservoir 1 a base mem r 6 is arrangedcarrying a pedestal 7 for an electric motor 8. The reservoir 1 and motor8 are installed in a closed housing 9. The power circuit lines for themotor 8 are indicated at 10, 11 generally. The line 11 includes asection 12 which leads from the source of electrical energy to a switchpoint 13 and also includes a branch 14 which leads from another switchpoint 15 to the motor. The line 11 leads directly from the source ofenergy to the motor. A switch member 16 coacts with the points 13, 14for closing the power circuits for the motor. The line and branch extendthrough one side of the housing 9. As the insulation of the apparatus isshown by way of example in connection with a tellers cage provided witha pair of tellers counters, the power circuit for the motor is so set upthat it can be selectively closed at two oints remote from each other,the closing of one point being provided by the switch member 16 and theclosing at the other point by a switch member 17 coacting with theswitch points or posts 18, 19.

Leading from the switch point or post 18 to the branch 15 is a circuitconnection 20 and leading from branch 12 to switch point or post 19 is acircuit connection 21. The form of switch shown is illustrated by way ofexample, but it is to be understood that any suitable type of switch forthe purpose intended may be employed.

The tellers cage is generally indicated at 22 and one wall thereof at 23and another wall at 24. The wall 23 is provided with a tellers window 25and a tellers counter 26. The wall 24 is formed with a tellers window 27and a tellers counter 28, the latter being disposed at ri ht angles withrespect to the counter 26 an spaced a substantial distance therefrom.

With reference to Figures 2 and 3 there is illustrated a T-shapedcontrolling valve housing referred to generally at 29 and formed of apair of vertical legs 30, 31, a horizontal leg 32 disposed at rightangles with respect to the legs 30, 31, and an internal web of wall 33which extends from the inner face of the leg 30 above the leg 32 andterminates in the inner face of the leg 31 below the leg 32. The web 33provides the housing 29 with a lower intake chamber 34 and an upperoutlet chamber 35. Communication is established between the chambers 34and 35 by an opening 36 formed centrally of the web 33 and having abevelled wall to constitute a seat for the tapered pointed end 37, of aneedle valve 38, formed with an elongated stem 39 of circular crosssection and which is of greater diameter than the diameter of the valve38. The body of the housing 29 is formed with an opening 40 and whichextends at right angles with respect to the upper end of the chamber 34and extends from the latter and opens into the leg32. The opening 40 isof less diameter than the inner diameter of leg 32, disposedconcentrically of the latter and has the wall thereof threa ed.

The stem 39 has a peripherally threaded terminus 41 which engages Withthe threaded wall of the opening 40 for the purpose of maintaining valve38 seated to shut off communication between the chambers 34 and 35.Mounted against the outer end of the leg 32 is a packing member 42 inthe form of an annulus and which is secured against leg 32 by a capmember 43 having peripheral threaded engagement with the leg 32. The capmember 43 has a central opening 44. The stem 39 extends through the leg32, packing 42 and opening 44 and is of a diameter to have a snugsliding fit with the wall of the opening 44.

The leg 31 is formed with internal threads for engagement with theperipheral threads in the upper end of the pipe 5 whereby the valvehousing 29 is coupled with pipe 5 and disposed vertically with respectto the latter.

A blinding agent conducting line is indicated at 45 and at its rear endis formed with a right angula-rly disposed annular flange 46 which seatsupon the upper end of a tubular union 47 formed centrally of itsperiphery with a boss 48. Preferably the inner diameter of the line 45is less than the inner diameter of the union 47. The lower part of theouter periphery of the union 47 is threaded, as at 49 for engagementwith the internal threads 50 of the leg 30 for the purpose of connectingunion 47 to leg 30 and to maintain union 47 vertically relative to saidleg.

The inner diameter of the union 47 is less than the inner diameter ofthe leg 30 and the union 47 has the upper portion of its peripherythreaded as at 51. Surrounding the line 45 and mounted on the flange 46is a packing member 52 which is engaged by a coupling piece 53 formaintaining it under a state of compression. The coupling piece 53 atits outer end includes an inwardly extending, annular flange 54 whichseats on the packing 52 and surrounds the line 45. The coupling piece 53is provided with internal threads 55 for engagement with the peripheralthreads 54 on the union 47 whereby line 45 is coupled to the latter.

The line 45 is provided with one or more discharge nozzles, dependingupon the number of outlets desired for line 45 and as shown the latterincludes a pair of discharge nozzles 56, 57, the former beingcountersunk in the wall. 23 and the latter countersunk in the wall 24.The countersinking of the nozzles 56, 57 substantially cancel the same.The nozzles 56, 57 are disposed in close proximity to the top of thetellers windows 25, 27

respectively, and preferably centrally of the top The line 45 includesan extension 58 which opens into the nozzle 56 and further includes anextension 59 which opens into the nozzle 57 .the arrangement being suchthat 1,7ae,aea

when the power circuit for the motor is closed, the blinding agent willbe discharged from both nozzles so as to affect the burglar in a mannerto blind him or render him helpless or to prevent any activity by theburglar.

The controlling valve 38 is normally se-' cured in position to close theopening 36 whereby the reservoir 1 is closed to the line 45. The valve38. is normally secured in position to close the opening 40 by theengagements of the threads of the stem 39 with the threaded wall of theopening 40. To provide for quick release and shift-of valve 38 fromclosing position with respect'to opening 36, so that the dischargethrough opening 36 will not be gradual, but full, the stem 39 is coupledwith the shaft of the motor 8, in a manner to be presently referred to.The coupling connection is such as to enable the motor to pick up itsspeed, before shaft 60 will act to release valve 38, under suchconditions the release will be quck, similar to what may be termed aquick hammer action thereby providing for full discharge of the blindingagent substantially at the same time the valve is released.

The driving coupling connection between stem 39 and shaft 60 is clearlyshown in Figures 2 and 3, as well as Figures 4:, 5 and 6. Shaft 60, at asubstantial distance from its outer end is formed with a peripheralgroove 61 approximately two-thirds of its circumference. The end wallsof the groove 61 provide stops 62. Mounted on the shaft 60 and extendinga substantial distance therefrom is a sleeve 63 which has its inner endsproject inwardly beyond the groove 61. The sleeve 63 in proximity to itsinner end is formed with an opening 64 having a threaded wall andengaging with the latter is a screw 65 which extends through the opening64 and into the groove 61. The screw 65 detachably couples and connectsthe sleeve 63 with the shaft 60 and further acts as an abutment coactingwith the shoulder 62 to provide for the sleeve 63 being bodily carriedby shaft 60 when the latter is rotating.

The sleeve 63 at its outer end is formed with a pair of diametricallyopposed, lengthwise extending projections 66, 67. The sleeve 63 is alsoformed with a pair of diametrically opposed, lengthwise extending slots68, 69 opening at the edge of the sleeve. One side edge of the extension66 and which is indicated at 70 forms a continuation of one of the wallsof the slot 69. One side edge of the extension 67 and which is indicatedat 71 forms a continuation of one wall of the slot 68. The other sideedge of the extension 66 and which is indicated at 72 forms a stop. Theother side edge of the extension 67 and which is indicated at 73provides a stop. The outer end of the stem 39 is formed with a head 74of greater diameter than the remaining portion thereof is a pin 75 of alength to pro'ect through and beyond the notches 68, 69., he pin 75 actstocouple the stem 39 with the sleeve 63 and as the latter is coupledwith-the shaft 60 the stem 39, sleeve 63 and shaft-60 will bodily rotatetogether when the pin 75 is arranged in the notches 68, 69.

The normal position of the sleeve 63 and screw 65, is as shown inFigures 2 and 5.: The

inner end of the screw 65 is arranged in groove 61 in proximity to theupper stop or abutment 62. The shaft 60 operating inthe direction of thearrow, will bodily carryqthe sleeve 63 therewith until the lower stop orabutment 62 is brought into engagement with the inner end of screw 65.The sleeve 63-will not rotate stem 39 until the ends of the pin 7 5 abutthe edges 70, 71 of the extensions; and by this time the motor haspicked up its s eed and will provide for a 'quick release 1 o the valveandthe latter willbe instantlyshifted from the position shown in Figure2110 that shown in Figure 3 to provide for a.-full,discharge from thereservoir. The motor is thrown into operation to provide for theforegoing function by closing the power circuit for the motor. Thevalve38 is to remain in its released position until the contentsof thereservoir are exhausted. Thevalve;38 -is, re-

stored to its normally secured position"byire-,,

moving the screw-65, shifting sleevefrom engagement with the pin 75 andmanually rotating stem 39 to restore the valve to, the position shown inFigure 2.

It is to be understood that the normally open power circuit for themotor can beclosed by any suitable means, positioned at any desiredpoint and operated by hand or foot and the means illustrated for closingthepower circuit for the motor is shown by way-of ex ample.

It is thought that the many advantages of a burglar guard apparatus, inaccordance with this invention can be readily: understood, and althoughthe preferred embodiment of the invention is as illustrated anddescribed, yetit is to be understood that changes in the details ofconstruction can be had which fall within the scope of the invention asclaimed.

What I claim is:

1. In a burglar guard apparatus of that type including a conducting linefor tear gas,

the combination of a reservoir containing. an

agent under pressure and having an outlet.

adapted to communicate with said line, a valve normally closing theoutlet, 8. motor normally in an open power circuit, means for closingsaid circuit to make the motor active,

and means operated from the motor for quickly shifting said valve toestablish come,

munication between the line and the outlet.

2. In a burglar guard apparatus of that type including a conducting hnefor tear gas, the combination of a reservoir containing an agent underpressure and having an outlet adapted to communicate with said line, avalve normally closing the outlet, a motor normally in an open powercircuit, means for closing said circuit to make the motor active, andmeans operated from the motor for quickly shifting said valve toestablish communication between the line and the outlet, said lastmentioned means having coacting elements to prevent the shifting of thevalve until the motor has picked up its speed thereby providing for aquick shift of the valve.

3. In a burglar guard apparatus of that type including a conducting linefor tear gas, t e combination of a reservoir containing an agent underpressure and having anoutlet adapted to communicate with said line, avalve normally secured in position to close the outlet, a motor normallyin an open power circuit, means for closing said circuit to make themotor active, and connections between the valve and the shaft of themotor for quick- 1 releasing the valve, when the motor is active toprovide for the establishing of communication between the line and theoutlet.

4. In a burglar guard apparatus of that type including a conducting linefor tear gas, the combination of a reservoir containing an agent underpressure and having an outlet adapted to communicate with said line, avalve normally secured in position to close the outlet, a motor normallyin an open power circuit, means for closing said circuit to make themotor active, and connections between the. valve and the shaft of themotor for quickly releasing the valve, when the motor is active toprovide for the establishing of communication between the line and theoutlet, said connections having coacting elements to prevent theshifting of the valve until the motor has picked up its speed therebyproviding for the quick shift of the valve.

In testimony whereof, I afiix my signature hereto.

THOMAS G. FATE.

